Jared A. Stephens

KOSCIUSKO — A Mentone man was arrested after allegedly battering a pregnant woman.

Jared A. Stephens, 35, 2160 S. SR 19, Mentone, is being charged with domestic battery to a pregnant woman and criminal confinement, both level 5 felonies; and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

On May 25, an officer with the Indiana State Police was dispatched to a residence in reference to a domestic battery. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a pregnant female. The female said she and a male subject, identified as Stephens, were traveling in a vehicle together when a verbal argument began over her phone.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the female took possession of her phone when Stephens began pushing and pulling her in a rude, insolent or angry manner, and also began verbally threatening her. Stephens then began driving again and the female asked multiple times for Stephens to stop the vehicle and let her out, but he refused.

The female said Stephens began slowing the vehicle and she attempted to exit. While she was exiting the vehicle, Stephens restrained her from leaving by physically pulling her into the vehicle and he continued driving. Stephens then stopped the vehicle and the female attempted to leave again. However, Stephens physically pulled her back into the vehicle.

Stephens eventually stopped the vehicle again and the female escaped the vehicle and yelled for help. A male subject heard the female yelling and went to help. The male observed Stephens grab the female by the shoulders and forcibly turn her around. She asked Stephens to let her go multiple times. The male then approached the scene and Stephens left the area without the female.

The officer observed multiple injuries on the female, including a bleeding cut on one of her fingers, a scratch on her elbow, and bruising on her wrist, forearm and elbow.

The officer was provided Stephens’ phone number and contacted him to conduct an interview. Stephens said there was a verbal argument and admitted to not allowing the female to leave the vehicle when she asked.

Stephens has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, June 24, in Kosciusko Superior Two Court.